Alpha Phi - Zeta Phi chapter at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Molly McCartin mmccarti@mit.edu
Vice President of Programming
Junior
Arlington, VA

I was extremely nervous coming to MIT. I have known my best friends from home since kindergarten and I knew I was very lucky to be a part of such a close-knit group. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to find the same quality of friends here at school. However, being a member of the first fall recruiting class I quickly discovered that women at MIT are not only interesting and very intelligent, but caring and extremely thoughtful. Going through recruitment I knew right away that Alpha Phi was the right sorority for me. Now, halfway through my junior year I have found friends that I will have for the rest of my life. Joining Alpha Phi is the best and most important decision I have made in college. One of the best parts is I get to live with so many amazing girls. Since joining Alpha Phi I have become a better person, a better student and a better friend.

This year I have been given the honor of serving as VP of the Programming Department, the largest department within the sorority. I joined the department my freshman year as the Athletic Chair and continued this past year as Manager of New Member Education. I love being a part of the programming department because it gives me the opportunity to reach out and help my sisters. I am also on the Varsity Lacrosse team, and I can always count on my sisters to be at my home games- rain or shine- cheering me on.

Erica Little ewlittle@mit.edu
Vice President of Chapter Operations
Junior
Sherborn, MA

I arrived early to MIT for soccer preseason, and was pleasantly surprised with the openness and all the wonderful qualities of the sorority girls on my team. After going through recruitment, Alpha Phi stood out as the sorority with nicest and most involved girls on campus, and I decided to give sorority life a try. I have enjoyed my three years at MIT so much due to all the wonderful people I have met through Alpha Phi, and as Vice President of Chapter Operations I will finally have a leadership opportunity in which I can give back to everyone who has helped me along the way.

Jamie Curran jkcurran@mit.edu
Vice President of Member Recruitment
Junior
St. Petersburg, FL

Before I even got to campus, I knew I wanted to join a sorority, but I just had to find the right one. In the Alpha Phi recruitment room, I found the most interesting, involved, and passionate girls. They were the girls that I wanted to support me as I made my way through MIT. Now I don't know what I would do if I couldn't come back to our beautiful house after class and relax with my sisters, or have them there to keep me company in the study while we work on problem sets.

Right away, I knew I wanted to put time in this chapter and have represented Alpha Phi on Jr. Panhel, as the Panhel Women's Week Committee Chair, as Panhellenic Delegate, and now as VPMR. I am also a member of the Varsity Sailing Team, and spend many hours practicing on the Charles River.

Sojung Lee sojung@mit.edu
Vice President of Marketing
Junior
Busan, South Korea

Home away from home. If someone asked me what Alpha Phi means to me, that would be my first answer. I have been away from my family in South Korea since 8th grade. I decided to come to the States to go to a boarding school near Boston. Even though I have been here for almost 7 years now, times can still get rough, especially at a place like MIT. Joining Alpha Phi was like getting a second family. I immediately became part of a family where everyone cares about each other. The most relieving part of my day is coming back to the house and hanging out with my sisters. Besides providing me the comfort of home, Alpha Phi has also helped me with personal growth. I respect every sister in Alpha Phi for what she has accomplished so far and what she has in front of her. I am always amazed at how motivated and successful my sisters are. They are truly inspirational.

Since Alpha Phi has made my experience at MIT so valuable, I always try my best to make positive contributions to the sorority in return. In the past, I have served as Director of Marketing Alpha Phi, and now as Vice President of Marketing. I am in charge of philanthropy events, publicity, and alumni relations for our chapter.

Besides being a proud member of Alpha Phi, I am treasurer of the 2011 Class Council and a research intern at Weiss Asset Management. I love baking, running along the Charles, dancing, and singing.

Kimberly Gonzales ksg@mit.edu
Director of Finance
Junior
Dallas, Texas

MIT is a high intensity academic environment, so finding a strong support system is crucial to surviving four years here. Alpha Phi goes above and beyond this. To me, our sisterhood means having 136 accomplished study partners, loyal cheerleaders, and best friends. My favorite moments are rarely planned events; rather, they are the spontaneous laughs shared in the Alpha Phi house, the mid-week retail therapy at the Prudential Center, and the late-night 7-11 study breaks.
I’m majoring in Computer Science and Engineering (Course 6-3) and I’m also working towards my teaching certification in high school math. I’m from Texas and a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, so you can catch me in our house’s TV room on Sundays during the fall rooting against Molly and Jessie's Redskins!
In addition to my Alpha Phi responsibilities as Director of Finance and Technology Chair, I’m also on the Board of Directors for the MIT Women’s Initiative, an organization that encourages girls nationwide to pursue science and engineering.

Samantha Luo ssluo@mit.edu
Panhellenic Delegate
Sophomore
Ellicott City, MD

Jessica Oleinik oleinik@mit.edu
Director of Administration
Junior
Ellicott City, MD

Deciding to come to MIT was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. I was intimidated by MIT’s reputation and the rigorous course load that I would face as a student here. I knew that I needed a strong support system to succeed. Joining a sorority seemed like a great solution. During recruitment, I looked around the Alpha Phi room at the confident, successful, and ambitious women that surrounded me. I knew right then that I wanted to be one of them. Now several years later, I realize how much Alpha Phi has enhanced my college life. With my sisters I have taken my first trip outside the country, explored Boston, and shared countless experiences I will remember for the rest of my life. My sisters are my teammates, my study partners, and my best friends.

In addition to Alpha Phi, I play varsity field hockey and softball. In my spare time, I can be found rooting on my sisters at sporting events, baking, and driving up my credit card bill by shopping on Newbury Street. This summer, I’m looking forward to working for ExxonMobil in Brooklyn, New York.

When I first came to MIT, joining a sorority was the last thing on my mind. However, with all my roommates and friends I had made during Orientation going through recruitment, I decided to go through it as well. Immediately meeting the women of Alpha Phi, I knew that these were the types of women I wanted to be and be friends with for the rest of my life. Since the first day of recruitment, my admiration for my sisters has grown even more. The balance between the dedication that Alpha Phi's demonstrate for academics, sports, and activities and their fun-loving attitudes always reminds me to appreciate all the opportunities at MIT while enjoying life all the same. Moving into the house spring semester of my junior year, I could not be happier with my decision. There are no other girls I would rather share my experiences at MIT with than my sisters. Aside from being on our chapter's Executive Board, I do research in the Combustion Dynamics Lab and will begin volunteering at MGH this semester as well. In my free time, I enjoy running, fashion, and exploring Boston.